YouTube Explains: Why Do YouTube Views Freeze At 301? [Video]

One of YouTube’s biggest mysteries is a mystery no more—in the latest video from Numberphile, YouTube Analytics Product Manager Ted Hamilton explains exactly why YouTube videos freeze at 301.
We’ve all heard the general explanation—that the view-count on YouTube videos that are quickly racking up views freeze at 301 in order to give YouTube time to investigate to ensure that nothing fishy is going on (i.e. bots, fake views, etc.). Hamilton explains:

“A view should be a video playback that was requested by an actual user who got what they were intending to get and had a good user experience. We think of views as a currency, and therefore we have to make a significant effort to eliminate ‘counterfeit’ views, if you will.”

But in the video, Hamilton takes this explanation to the next level to explain why YouTube views usually freeze at the number 301 specifically. He goes into everything from what counts as a view on YouTube to the way in which servers are set up around the globe, how views are compiled from each of these servers, why the way that the original YouTube code causes views to freeze after the 301st view and more.

Check out the video below for the in-depth explanation and let us know what you think. How do you feel now that the mystery of the 301th view has been laid to rest?

Megan O’Neill is the resident web video enthusiast here at Social Times. Megan covers everything from the latest viral videos to online video news and tips, and has a passion for bizarre, original and revolutionary content and ideas.

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